Ilocos Sur to host 2018 Palarong Pambansa

After a close match among five local government unit (LGU) bidders, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones announced that the province of Ilocos Sur will host the 2018 Palarong Pambansa. The other contenders who placed their bid to host the Palaro next year were Marikina City, Baguio City, Ilagan City in Isabela, Benguet and Bulacan. Following the devised tool in assessing the capability of the LGU bidders to host this national sporting event, Briones mentioned that all scored relatively close, but the province of Ilocos Sur managed to present and ”package” it better. The LGU bidders were all assessed based on their readiness and the completeness of their sports facilities, as well as the compliance of these facilities to the international standards. Moreover, the distance of the venues from the billeting quarters, the peace and order in the area, and the support of other LGUs and stakeholders in the locality were taken into consideration. “We had a group of technical inspectors that visited these LGUs and talagang they scored almost the same. But the province of Ilocos Sur championed the bidding because of its offering on how to make the conduct of the Palaro different for next year,” Briones said. Furthermore, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnerships Service, and School Sports Division Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq. explained that Ilocos Sur was able to articulate how the conduct of Palaro in their province will have an impact not only to their people but to all student-athletes as well. “Since Ilocos Sur will have its 100th year celebration as a province, their LGUs will have a lot of special events to be conducted, which our delegates may be able to witness… In the past hosting of Palaro na walang ganitong kasabay na malaking celebration, maaring maging kakaiba ang 2018 Palaro,” Umali said. “They will also give a chance to our student-athletes to tour around Ilocos Sur, Vigan, for example. Mahalaga rin makita ng mga bata kung gaano kayaman ang ating kultura.” Under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10588, the Palaro is recognized as the country’s premier national sporting event where self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry will be fostered. It is also the primary avenue for providing in-school sports opportunities to boost the youth’s physical, intellectual, and social well-being.